Varsity Reds top X-Men 1-0 to advance to Subway AUS Men's Soccer Championship final versus CBU

(SYDNEY, N.S.) The no. 3-seeded UNB Varsity Reds upset the no. 2-seeded and U SPORTS no. 7-ranked StFX X-Men Friday night in the second semifinal of the Subway AUS Men's Soccer Championship being hosted by Cape Breton University. 

The game remained scoreless through the first half despite several opportunities for the X-Men. AUS MVP Dan Hayfield (Exeter, England) had three shots in the first half. 

UNB's Matt Quigley (Conquerall Mills, N.S.) scored on a goal mouth scramble early in the second half to give the Varsity Reds a 1-0 victory. Quigley's goal broke a scoreless game despite StFX controlling most of the possession.

Varsity Reds keeper Evan Barker (Winnipeg, Man) made numerous game-saving blocks to preserve the victory, including a goal-line save with 15 minutes remaining to preserve the victory.

Barker made seven saves in the game for the Varsity Reds. He was named UNB's Subway Player of the Game for his efforts. 

Fifth-year forward Natneal Tecle (Calgary, Alta.) earned Subway Player of the Game nods for the X-Men. He had two shots in the loss. 

With the win, the Varsity Reds advance to Sunday's championship final. They will face the defending AUS champion and U SPORTS no. 1-ranked Cape Breton Capers at 2 p.m.

Hosts of the 2017 AUS championship, the Capers are undefeated so far this season with an 11-0-1 record in the regular season and a 1-0 record so far in the postseason. They defeated the Acadia Axemen 5-0 in the first of the two championship semi-final matchups. 

The game will be webcast live at AUStv.ca. 

Source: With files from Cape Breton Athletics Communications